In Reply to: clothes question posted by whenwecan on Sunday, 30. December 2007 at 10:00 Bali Time:
The Balinese do appreciate tourists who dress modestly. Of course when dealing with Officials or visiting sacred places appropriate clothing that covers your limbs must be worn. Sleeveless tops & shorts/skirts are OK wandering around - it's the scantily-dressed they find offensive, and so do I, especially in restaurants.
Decades ago, and this was repeated to me recently, Balinese told me that they strongly feel that beach/pool wear should be kept to those places. Of course, in the tourist drag of Tuban/Kuta/Legian & especially Seminyak they are well used to tourists in public areas such as streets, shops, restaurants etc clad minimally. Just because they are used to it doesn't mean they approve. Quite the reverse.
If only those females, especially the middle-aged ones, wearing cozzies with a sarong around the waist & the beer-bellied males in stubbies & no top could see the gestures made behind their backs or understand the comments made about them.
I'll get flamed but so what P: